Downloadable games = Increasing gaming sales, and modded Xbox takes over my life

Today I wanted to discuss something that is extremely prevalent in today's "digital" society: the art of downloading. Theres a lot of yapping in this post, so if you have a short attention span I have a place for you to go. Otherwise, sit back, put on your reading glasses and pay attention..

Downloads Driving Gaming Sales Growth (article)
Note: this graph is for aesthetic purposes only; no correlation between actual sales data and this graph exist. Just in case you can't already tell...

Everybody who has been online looking for TV shows more than a couple times is probably familiar with programs like Bit Torrent; if not, let me explain: Torrent's are the next generation of "Napster," where you can download media such as movies, albums, television shows, and yes.. even video games. The user downloads a file (called a .torrent) and then uses a program very similar to Napster to activate these files and download whatever content comes with the torrent. For example, if I wanted to download the Trailer Park Boys Movie, I would search for the TPB movie torrent (ie "TrailerParkBoysSeason 7.torrent") and download that to my computer. Then (assuming I have already installed the Bit Torrent or other sharing program) I would use the Bit Torrent software to download the movie with the .torrent file, just like downloading a song from Napster.

So how does this relate to gaming? Well, the story started with Microsoft's release of the Xbox, which was the first console to have a build in hard drive intended to store gaming data. This is important because it essentially makes the Xbox a mini PC, with data storage capabilities and a processor fast enough to run just about any computer program. After a few years, computer nerds started figuring this out, and began to modify Xboxes to bypass Microsoft's default loading sequence. With a little bit of spot welding or software modification, your Xbox (or even Xbox 360) can become a mini media center, with the capability to store whole games on the hard drive, as well as sound and movie files, programs (emulators or media players), and even web browsing capabilities.

Basically, think of the modified Xbox as a way to play any game you want (limited to the console of course) without having the CD. On top of this, you can load your favorite tv shows, movies, or music artists and play them right through your Xbox. This means quicker loading time for games, easier access to your media, and a really really cool piece of hardware that replaces your CD, DVD and video game units all in one. So, now that you understand the modded xbox, the question remains: how does the ability to download games mark an increase in gaming sales, when you consider the trend in the music industry of decreasing sales?

Well, I have a theory. First of all, the latest gaming trends are (and have been) going in the direction of online gaming, which relies on a monthly subscription to sustain itself (see Xbox Live). These services also provide downloadable games which give the user instant access to any games, as well as access to numerous re-released games from older systems like Super Nintendo, Sega or Playstation. And even if these gamers were to download games free of charge from sites like the Pirate Bay, they still have to purchase the console in order to have it modified so that they can download these games. So if you want to be able to download and play Xbox games, you have to actually purchase and own an Xbox, whereas in the music industry an Ipod (while extremely popular, and very cool) is not necessary to listen to your favorite artists.

Finally, I believe that being able to download content like this contributes to the interest levels of gamers. This goes back to the idea of "demo discs" which became common after Playstation borrowed the idea from PC gaming and began releasing numerous samples to the public. These demos allowed you to play the first few levels of four or five different games, so you could find out if it was a game you wanted to buy. With downloading, you get the advantage of being able to own the entire game, but at the same time you can generate the interest of other gamers. This works because there is a community of gamers around the world are constantly trying new games and telling their friends how awesome (or how crappy) the latest titles are.

All in all, its a dangerous piece of hardware for people who can get distracted easily.. Like me. It has so much to keep you occupied that if you're not careful, you could stay glued to your TV for hours. But it keeps me on my toes playing the latest games, and lets me indulge in a little nostalgia with my Super Nintendo emulator whenever I feel the need. And clearly, it isn't hurting the video game market whatsoever. So now that we've all had a little education on the concept of downloading games, its time for me to go fire up the box and get started on my 'homework' for the day.

Ahhh, life is good.

The next 'Power Glove' uses Electroencephalography [link]

A company called Emotiv Systems is developing a brain cap that allows the user to control actions on a gaming screen with your mind. It works by reading brain waves and transfers them into commands such as "push" or "lift." The interview on Emotiv's main home page shows users lifting, spinning and pushing the giant stone pillars of Stonehenge using only their minds. They call it 'electro-encephalograph' or EEG for short (don't worry I can't pronounce it either), and they claim that it is the next revolution in the 13.5 billion dollar gaming industry.

Personally, I'm not convinced and neither are some experts, who claim that signals from brain waves are extremely weak and difficult to pick up. This leads to sluggish response times and somewhat awkward movements, two things that drive gamers absolutely crazy. The less control I have over the screen, the more frustrated I'm likely to become when the game doesn't respond the way I want it to. Essentially, you become the Angry Videogame Nerd.

The Power Glove looks cool, and thats about it. I used to own one but I used it more often when I was pretending to be Robocop.

This new technology just reminds me of the Power Glove which, incidentally the AVN reviews on this video. If you watch how frustrated he gets playing these older and technologically simpler games, imagine how difficult it will be to use this so called 'electro-encephalograph' technology to play a next-generation game like Harry Potter (which Emotiv uses as an example) where a slow response time could and will spell disaster for the gamer. I'll give it some credit; it is a revolutionary step forward in how we play video games (*cough*virtual reality!*cough*), but becoming a successful consumer product by 2008? Sorry Emotiv, you'll have to show me something a little more effective.

Jack Black, heavy metal, and a complete overdose of violence.. my kind of game!

Awe·some:

1. Full of awe, profoundly reverential.
2. Inspiring awe; appalling, dreadful, weird.
3. a. In weakened sense: overwhelming, staggering; remarkable, prodigious. colloq. (orig. and chiefly U.S.). b. In trivial use, as an enthusiastic term of commendation: ‘marvellous’, ‘great’; stunning, mind-boggling. slang

Now that I've properly defined what you're about to witness, please check out the latest source of my 'awe-filled' excitement.

....and watch closely. Right as the heavy metal music cues up, the character (a Roadie named 'Riggs' played by none other than Jack Black himself) actually flashes the devil horns before starting off on a violent ass-kicking massacre of all sorts of wild creatures. That is so metal I don't even know what to do with myself.

Apparently the promotions that were sent out for this game last week included a working vinyl record player, a record and a flier with some cryptic poem. This video clip shows you the whole package, but don't watch too much because whoever is filming really starts to get annoying by the middle of the video (he even admits it himself).

The Devil Horns.. Rock and roll baby!

As a heavy metal lover and Jack Black fan, I'm so excited to see this game that I might go buy a 360 or PS3 just so I can play it. The game's producer Tim Schafer is known around the industry for infusing comedy into his games, and Jack Black pretty much sweats funny (see The Pick of Destiny) so I can't see this game being anything but totally AWESOME!


(Update: Oct 21st, 2007. Double Fine Productions and Tim Schafer officially announced the upcoming Brutal Legend as a very real project. It appears to be based on a fictional account of heavy metal antiquity:

"Together, the two groups [that's 'Double Fine' and Schafer] are in the process of reconstructing and realising the events that took place eons ago, allowing future generations to pay respect and experience first-hand the blood, sweat and chrome needed to ensure metal prevailed.")

Beautiful Katamari.. Can you roll with the best?

I'm so confused.. and strangely interested.

Beautiful Katamari is on it's way out for Xbox 360, and there is no easy way for me to explain the game.. So I took a blurb of the storyline from IGN's video review:

"You're a prince, and you roll around a katamari.. or a ball.. and you collect objects. The point is to restore the universe, but actually who cares what the point is; the game doesn't make any sense, and that's one of its main attractions."

Did you catch that? The game makes no sense. I watched IGN's video footage and all I can say is that yes, the game is complete nonsense. You're a little Prince, and you have to somehow save the universe by rolling around this ball collecting objects; starting small with things like stamps or bottle caps, and eventually moving to things like cars, fences and even people. Quite literally nothing is beyond your reach.

Watch out Grandma, the Prince does not discriminate.

But strangely enough, I would still give this game a try. I want to see how expansive the game can really get. It has an Xbox live version which allows players to compete against each other for... picking things up? I have to say I'm very curious, but I don't see myself going through a lot of effort to get my hands on this one.

Star Wars 'Nerdery' Continued... (Game Review)

Today I'm reviewing an older game, which was released way back in 2001. Why, you ask? Well, the other day I discovered some old computer games in my closet and one of them was Star Wars: Dark Forces 2. This was an old first person shooter that let you use different Jedi powers along with classic Star Wars blasters and thermal grenades. It, along with several other titles from LucasArts occupied a fairly big chunk of my very pathetic childhood as a computer gamer. I spent hours upon hours on games like Grim Fandango and Tie Fighter for the PC, and anyone thats nostalgic about old PC games should most definitely check these titles out, if you can somehow find them. But this blog is devoted to console games, because, well.. I think console games kick ass. So, permit me to introduce you to Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition for the Xbox.

This very cool remake of the original Starfighter game for PS2 (which I never played) impressed me in terms of its smoothness, although I found it did have a few more glitches than I would have liked to see. For instance, blowing up large spaceships often results in a few discombobulated seconds of pixelated flying space debris, which is choppy to play through. You also tend to 'bounce' off ships awkwardly if you get too close, and there is very little room on some of the planet battles which leads to a claustrophobic feel at times. However the space battles don't share this problem and overall the game runs very smoothly and only takes about a half hour of getting used to the throttle/braking system and the turning capabilities of all the ships.
You can see how the image looks crisp from a distance (left), but seems to get pixelated at close range (right). However this game was released in 2001, so it is actually ancient by technologies standards, and it still looks great. Kudos to LucasArts.


In the mission mode you play as one of three characters (all of which fly different ships) fighting against the Trade Federation to stop the invasion of some planet. I didn't really focus on the plot of the game too closely because the game is pretty much blasting away at everything you can target and destroy. There are some cool features, like having an interactive teammate or wing of fighters that follow your commands, but the commands are basically restricted to "attack my target" or "defend my target". The audio chatter gives you some direction as to what you should be blasting (for example, your wing mates will yell things like "quick, destroy that missile frigate!") but for the most part the game lays out your objectives beforehand and you can pretty much take out everything in sight.

Overall, there's nothing outstanding about this 'special edition' game, however it's a fun couple hours of gaming and it offers a decent challenge to any flight game fans out there. I'm pretty sure this game was motivated by its release date (it came out about a month before christmas) to generate a bit of green. Overall, not bad. But don't go rushing out to buy this technologically ancient title, there are some much better flight and fight games to be played.

The ancient look of the LucasArts 'gold guy' really speaks for how old this game actually is.

Sheel-Score: 6.5/10

Game Review: Black

Inspired by fellow classmate Eric's post on game realism, I decided to return to a well kept secret in the world of first person shooters: Black. Your character is a special operations soldier named Jack Keller who is on the hunt for a rogue American agent responsible for a professional terrorist organization called 7th Wave. You have to battle your way through various urban landscapes including military border patrols, industrial loading docks and a real creepy bombed out asylum. Black provides what IGN.com calls a "100% visceral experience 100% of the time" and the guys over at IGN are pretty much bang on.

Without question, the most incredible feature of this game is its graphics. Criterion, the company responsible for Black has gone above and beyond what is expected of a shooter, delivering an awesome and engaging treat for the video game senses. Glass will shatter, concrete and wood will disintegrate under a hail of gunfire, and you get to see lots and lots of explosions. Find yourself out of grenades? Just try shooting any of the various explosive objects that are littered throughout each level. And given that you are moving through war torn regions under intense military control, theres lots of targets of opportunity. Glee.

These pillars were in good shape, but they got in the way of Kellar's bullets. Oh yeah, and the bad guys aren't doing too well either..

The game play is smooth, nothing exceptional for the genre, however the extra effort that Criterion put into the games graphics goes above and beyond any other shooter I've played. For instance, everything is governed by real life physics so that when you fire a sniper rifle over a long distance, it takes a few seconds to reach its target. The opposing soldiers will use flanking maneuvers to try to gain a better position on you, and you can hear them communicating along with putting up with regular radio chatter from your own teammates in certain levels. Generally the AI is pretty simple minded, but theres enough challenge to make it interesting (especially on the higher difficulty levels) without feeling like you're shooting up mannequins all game.

The game has two major flaws that I found, which IGN also cites as the game's biggest flaws (see their video review and lots of in-game footage here). The first is a lack of a multi player option, which could have opened the game up to a much larger group of gamers. As it stands, its just a short yet engaging single player game that has very little lasting power. Which brings me to Black's second flaw: the game only lasts about 5 hours total. Usually a good game will last between 10 and 15 hours, with the exception of RPG's which can last much longer (some can exceed 60 hours, or go as long as the gamer can stand playing). However, its short length is probably a good thing because otherwise the game would get dull.. All that running and shooting can only fill so much time, and the storyline can only make a game go so far before it becomes tedious to follow.

Overall, I give this game a great review because of its excellent audio and visual effects, smooth game play and its realistic feel. It loses points for the lack of multi-player options and the one dimensional storyline (which seems to me like a Tom Clancey novel), and an extra .5 deduction for the stupidly long intro sequence and lack of a way to skip the cinematic scenes.

Sheel-Score: 7.5/10

Films and Gaming: A New "Force" in Next-Gen Gaming

It seems that Star Wars is continuing to be a leading innovator in media, this time merging Hollywood and gaming in an upcoming PS3 game that looks to be totally AWESOME. The storyline follows what is essentially an 'evil' version of Luke Skywalker; a young apprentice of Darth Vader before the bucket head and his Emperor get whooped by the Rebellion. And let me tell you, this guy is totally out of the ballpark juiced on Force steroids. In the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) trailer the main character takes down a whole Star Destroyer with his force power, then he charges up his lightsaber and looks like he's going to dice up the ship for a big Stormtrooper and scrap metal salad. Holy (deleted)!!!
This guy is serious. He's ready to kick the entire Star Wars universe square in the nuts.

The most significant part of the game revolves around five characters: A nameless apprentice, Darth, another semi-evil mentor guy, a sexy blonde femme fatale, and what looks like a more evil version of C3-PO. Sounds weird, but what's great is that all five of these characters are portrayed by real actors filmed in a small studio (see some behind-the-scenes footage here). The production team paired up with George Lucas and, taking a hint from the enormous popularity of storyline based games like Halo, cast real actors to play the parts of the game characters. I'm not sure whether they will incorporate this into the regular game play or just in cinematic cut-scenes, but its a pretty interesting step forward in how games are designed. It also draws the gamer into the storyline a lot more than the standard run around, kill everyone in sight style of game which doesn't develop characters in any way.

No game is complete without the scantily clad cleavage bearing pin-up girl, complete with an impossible outfit.

If they can avoid the usual pitfalls with such games (dragging cinematic scenes, poor game play, or poor use of surrounding environment) then this game should be a hit. So far it looks like you can force lift pretty much everything, and do so with a variety of different force skills. And of course, there's the fan favorite: the Lightsaber, plus what promises to be a myriad of other cool ways to cause mayhem around the galaxy . Star Wars fans, do yourself a favor and keep updated on this one.